U.S. patent application number 14/074746 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for self-checkout shopping system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hand Held Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jianfeng Gao, Benjamin Hejl, HongJian Jin, Mehul Patel, Huyu Qu, Ynjiun Paul Wang, Timothy Williams, Tao Xian, Zhiqiang Yuan, Xiaodong Zhou, Qi Zhu.
Application Number | 20150134470 14/074746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51794761 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150134470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hejl; Benjamin ; et
al. |
May 14, 2015 |
SELF-CHECKOUT SHOPPING SYSTEM
Abstract
A self-checkout shopping system improves the retail shopping
experience, permitting the self-serve customer to perform checkout
tasks that are typically performed at the retailer's checkout area
as the customer is selecting items for purchase. The system
includes a mobile computer device and an indicia reader. The
customer uses the mobile computer device to scan items selected for
purchase. The item numbers are then compiled onto a list of
acquired merchandise. When the customer has finished shopping, the
system transmits the list of acquired merchandise, and any
additional information such as customer financial information, to a
point-of-sale terminal to facilitate the customer's payment for the
merchandise.
Inventors: |
Hejl; Benjamin; (Cherry
Hill, NJ) ; Williams; Timothy; (Northport, NY)
; Gao; Jianfeng; (Suzhou, CN) ; Jin; HongJian;
(Suzhou, CN) ; Zhou; Xiaodong; (Suzhou, CN)
; Zhu; Qi; (Suzhou, CN) ; Yuan; Zhiqiang;
(Suzhou, CN) ; Qu; Huyu; (San Jose, CA) ;
Patel; Mehul; (Wrightstown, PA) ; Wang; Ynjiun
Paul; (Cupertino, CA) ; Xian; Tao;
(Bordentown, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hand Held Products, Inc. |
Fort Mill |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51794761 |
Appl. No.: |
14/074746 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07G 1/0081 20130101;
G06Q 20/18 20130101; G07G 1/0045 20130101; G07G 1/009 20130101;
G06Q 20/208 20130101; G06Q 20/3276 20130101; G06Q 20/3278
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/21 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/18 20060101
G06Q020/18; G06Q 20/32 20060101 G06Q020/32 |
Claims
1. A self-checkout shopping system, comprising: a mobile computer
device for maintaining a list of acquired merchandise, the mobile
computer device comprising an indicia reader that is configured for
reading indicia associated with merchandise; and a point-of-sale
terminal configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile
computer device; wherein the self-checkout shopping system is
configured to transmit the list of acquired merchandise from the
mobile computer device to the point-of-sale terminal.
2. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein
the mobile computer device and the point-of-sale terminal are
configured to exchange information associated with the purchase of
merchandise in response to a user action.
3. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein
the mobile computer device and the point-of-sale terminal are
configured to exchange information associated with the purchase of
merchandise in response to a user (i) selecting an option to
checkout on the mobile computer device, (ii) using the indicia
reader to identify checkout indicia, and/or (iii) leaving the
vicinity of the point-of-sale terminal.
4. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein
the mobile computer device is configured to update a list of
acquired merchandise when the mobile computer device's indicia
reader decodes merchandise selected by a shopper.
5. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 4, wherein
the mobile computer device is associated with a shopping container,
and the mobile computer device's indicia reader comprises an RFID
reader that is configured to read RFID tags associated with
merchandise that is placed in the shopping container.
6. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein:
the mobile computer device is configured for displaying indicia
associated with the list of acquired merchandise; and the
point-of-sale terminal comprises an indicia reader that is
configured for reading the indicia associated with the list of
acquired merchandise as displayed by the mobile computer
device.
7. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein
both the mobile computer device and the point-of-sale terminal are
enabled with near-field-communication (NFC).
8. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 7, wherein:
the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is configured to transmit
information associated with (i) the list of acquired merchandise
and/or (ii) payment information; and the NFC-enabled point-of-sale
terminal is configured to receive information associated with (i)
the list of acquired merchandise and/or (ii) payment
information.
9. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 8, wherein
the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is configured to transmit
information associated with the purchase of merchandise.
10. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 9, wherein
the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is configured to receive
information associated with the purchase of merchandise as
transmitted by the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal.
11. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 1, wherein
the mobile computer device is a smartphone or tablet computer.
12. A near-field-communication (NFC), self-checkout shopping
system, comprising: an NFC-enabled mobile computer device; and an
NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal configured to communicate with
the mobile computer device; wherein the self-checkout shopping
system is configured to exchange information associated with the
purchase of merchandise between the NFC-enabled mobile computer
device and the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal when the
NFC-enabled mobile computer device is positioned in proximity to
the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal.
13. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 12,
wherein: the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is configured to
transmit information associated with payment for merchandise; and
the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is configured to receive
information associated with payment for merchandise.
14. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 13,
wherein: the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is configured to
encrypt and transmit information associated with payment for
merchandise; and the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is
configured to receive and de-crypt information associated with
payment for merchandise.
15. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 12,
wherein: the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is configured to
transmit information associated with the purchase of
merchandise.
16. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 15,
wherein the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is configured to
receive information associated with the purchase of
merchandise.
17. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 12,
wherein the NFC-enabled mobile computer device is associated with a
shopping container.
18. A near-field-communication (NFC), self-checkout shopping
system, comprising: an NFC-enabled indicia reader configured for
(i) decoding indicia associated with merchandise, (ii) acquiring
information associated with the decoded indicia from a database,
(iii) transmitting the information associated with the decoded
indicia to a second NFC-enabled device.
19. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 18,
wherein the second NFC-enabled device is a point-of-sale
terminal.
20. The self-checkout shopping system according to claim 19,
wherein the NFC-enabled indicia reader and the NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal are configured to exchange information
associated with the purchase of merchandise when the NFC-enabled
indicia reader is positioned in proximity to the NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of information
systems and, more specifically, to a self-checkout shopping
system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] From a consumer perspective, the retail shopping experience
has undergone significant transformations in the past few
decades.
[0003] Manually-affixed price tags were once a centerpiece of the
retail shopping experience. Store personnel would affix pricing
labels to the merchandise, and when the pricing changed, the store
personnel had to apply new pricing labels.
[0004] At checkout, store clerks would manually enter prices at the
cash register by typing in the price reflected on the pricing
label. This approach resulted in inefficiencies due to the
substantial amount of time required to apply and re-apply pricing
labels to merchandise, as well as the data entry errors that often
occurred when manually entering pricing information into the cash
register.
[0005] A large percentage of retailers, notably grocery stores and
general consumer merchandisers, have come to rely on barcode
technology to improve the efficiency and reliability of their
operations. Many retailers have eschewed individually applying
price tags to their wares in favor of relying on code symbols
applied to product packaging or to the product at the manufacturing
stage.
[0006] When entering pricing information at the point-of-sale, a
product barcode is scanned by a barcode scanner and the product
price is automatically entered into the point-of-sale system. This
approach has proven so efficient and reliable that many retailers
have implemented self-checkout systems whereby consumers themselves
enter the pricing information by scanning their purchased goods at
the point of sale. Consumers can also pay for the merchandise,
often without the need for assistance from the retailer's
personnel, by depositing money or entering credit card information
into the point-of-sale system.
[0007] As demonstrated by the fact that self-checkout systems have
become commonplace at many grocery stores and general merchandise
retailers, these systems are popular with retailers and consumers
alike due to their relative reliability, speed, and ease of use.
When large numbers of items are being purchased, however, the
checkout process tends to be more time consuming than consumers and
retailers would like. For example, waiting in line while other
shoppers self-scan shopping carts full of groceries can take a
significant amount of time, thereby detracting from the consumer's
overall shopping experience.
[0008] Therefore, a need exists for a self-checkout shopping
systems that allow shoppers to enter pricing information into a
point-of-sale system and pay for the purchased goods in a more
efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[0009] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a
self-checkout shopping system that includes a mobile computer
device for maintaining a list of acquired merchandise. The mobile
computer device includes an indicia reader (e.g., a code-symbol
reader) that is configured for reading indicia (e.g., code symbols)
associated with merchandise. The self-checkout shopping system also
includes a point-of-sale terminal configured to wirelessly
communicate with the mobile computer device. The self-checkout
shopping system is configured to transmit the list of acquired
merchandise from the mobile computer device to the point-of-sale
terminal.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer device and
the point-of-sale terminal are configured to exchange information
associated with the purchase of merchandise in response to a user
action.
[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer device
and the point-of-sale terminal are configured to exchange
information associated with the purchase of merchandise in response
to a user (i) selecting an option to checkout on the mobile
computer device, (ii) using the indicia reader to identify checkout
indicia, and/or (iii) leaving the vicinity of the point-of-sale
terminal.
[0012] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer
device is configured to update a list of acquired merchandise when
the mobile computer device's indicia reader decodes a code symbol
associated with merchandise selected by a shopper.
[0013] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer
device is associated with a shopping container (e.g., a shopping
cart with an integrated computer), and the mobile computer device's
indicia reader includes an RFID reader that is configured to read
RFID tags associated with merchandise that is placed in the
shopping container.
[0014] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer
device is configured for displaying indicia associated with the
list of acquired merchandise. The point-of-sale terminal includes
an indicia reader that is configured for reading the indicia
associated with the list of acquired merchandise as displayed by
the mobile computer device.
[0015] In yet another exemplary embodiment, both the mobile
computer device and the point-of-sale terminal are enabled with
near-field-communication (NFC) capabilities.
[0016] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device is configured to transmit information associated
with (i) the list of acquired merchandise and/or (ii) payment
information. The NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is configured
to receive information associated with (i) the list of acquired
merchandise and/or (ii) payment information.
[0017] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal is configured to transmit information
associated with the purchase of merchandise.
[0018] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device is configured to receive information associated
with the purchase of merchandise as transmitted by the NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal.
[0019] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer
device is a smartphone or tablet computer (e.g., a smartphone with
a checkout software application, and optionally stored credit-card
or store-loyalty information).
[0020] In another aspect, the present invention embraces a
near-field-communication (NFC), self-checkout shopping system that
includes an NFC-enabled mobile computer device. The system also
includes an NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal configured to
communicate with the mobile computer device. The self-checkout
shopping system is configured to exchange information associated
with the purchase of merchandise between the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device and the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal when the
NFC-enabled mobile computer device is positioned in proximity to
the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile computer
device is configured to transmit information associated with
payment for merchandise. The NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal is
configured to receive information associated with payment for
merchandise.
[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device is configured to encrypt and transmit information
associated with payment for merchandise. The NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal is configured to receive and de-crypt
information associated with payment for merchandise.
[0023] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled
point-of-sale terminal is configured to transmit information
associated with the purchase of merchandise.
[0024] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device is configured to receive information associated
with the purchase of merchandise.
[0025] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled mobile
computer device is associated with a shopping container.
[0026] In another aspect, the present invention embraces a
near-field-communication (NFC), self-checkout shopping system that
includes an NFC-enabled indicia reader configured for (i) decoding
indicia associated with merchandise, (ii) acquiring information
associated with the decoded indicia from a database, and (iii)
transmitting the information associated with the decoded indicia to
a second NFC-enabled device.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the second NFC-enabled device is
a point-of-sale terminal.
[0028] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the NFC-enabled indicia
reader and the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal are configured to
exchange information associated with the purchase of merchandise
when the NFC-enabled indicia reader is positioned in proximity to
the NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminal.
[0029] The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other
exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the
manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained
within the following detailed description and its accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of an
exemplary self-checkout shopping system according to the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
near-field-communication (NFC) self-checkout shopping system
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The present invention embraces self-checkout shopping
systems. The systems improve the retail shopping experience by
leveraging the technology of modern mobile computer devices (e.g.,
smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc.). In
particular, the systems permit a user (i.e., a retail shopper,
customer, etc.) to perform many checkout tasks that are currently
performed at the retailer's checkout area (e.g., checkout lane) as
the customer is selecting items for purchase.
[0033] Using a mobile computer device equipped with the appropriate
hardware and software, the customer may scan (e.g., read) each
selected item as that item is selected for purchase and placed into
a shopping container (e.g., shopping cart, shopping basket, etc.)
thereby adding the item onto a list of acquired merchandise. When
the customer has finished shopping, the system transmits the list
of acquired merchandise to a point-of-sale terminal to facilitate
the customer's payment for the merchandise.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1, the self-checkout shopping system
100 includes a mobile computer device 105. The mobile computer
device 105 may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop
computer, or any other computing device that is portable (i.e.,
able to be transported by the customer around the retail store as
the customer shops for merchandise). The mobile computing device
105 may also be a computing device that is a component of any
apparatus designed to assist the customer with the shopping
experience. For instance, in order to improve the shopping
experience the retailer may provide the customer with a shopping
cart or other shopping container that incorporates a mobile
computer device 105.
[0035] The mobile computer device 105 includes an indicia reader
106 (e.g., a laser scanner, image code reader, RFID reader, etc.)
that is configured for reading indicia or any other type of
identification associated with merchandise. The term "indicia" is
intended to refer broadly to various kinds of machine-readable
indicia, including barcodes, QR codes, matrix codes, 1D codes, 2D
codes, RFID tags, IR tags, characters, etc. The indicia are
typically graphical representations of information (e.g., data),
such as product numbers, package tracking numbers, or personnel
identification numbers.
[0036] The term "indicia" as used herein is also intended to refer
broadly to visual characteristics of merchandise for which image
recognition technology (e.g., Google Goggles by Google, Inc.) may
be used with an indicia reader to identify an item. The use of
indicia readers to input data into a system, rather than manual
data entry, results in generally faster and more reliable data
entry.
[0037] The indicia reader 106 may be a laser barcode scanner. More
typically, the indicia reader 106 may be the mobile computing
device's imaging device module (e.g., camera module), which is
configured to capture images of indicia (e.g., code symbols) and
process the indicia image to decode (e.g., read) the indicia.
[0038] When an indicium is decoded (or read), the indicia is
translated from its symbol form into the information (e.g., data)
that the indicia represents. In the retail store environment, this
typically means that when the indicia is decoded by the indicia
reader 106, the indicia is translated from a graphical
representation (e.g., black and white vertical bars of varying
widths in the case of UPC barcodes) or other type of identification
(e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID)) into alphanumeric
data relating to the item (e.g., product number, product price,
etc.).
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile computer device 105
is equipped with the appropriate software (e.g., decoding software)
such that when the customer scans or reads each item selected for
purchase, the item number may be compiled onto a list of acquired
merchandise. The list of acquired merchandise may be updated when
the mobile computer device's indicia reader 106 scans and decodes
additional merchandise selected by a customer. Alternatively, a
web-based service may be used to create a shopping list that could
be delivered to the mobile computer device 105 such that the items
are "checked off" of the shopping list as the indicia reader 106
scans the items of merchandise. Shopping ads or coupons may be
transmitted to the mobile computer device 105 based upon the
shopping list or based upon items that were previously purchased by
the customer.
[0040] As illustrated at FIG. 1, the mobile computer device 105 is
configured to transmit the list of acquired merchandise from the
mobile computer device 105 to a point-of-sale terminal 107 when the
mobile computer device 105 is positioned within a certain distance
of the point-of-sale terminal 106. The list of acquired merchandise
may be transmitted using any conventional communication system
(e.g., Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, etc.). The list of acquired merchandise
may also be transmitted by displaying an indicium associated with
the list of acquired merchandise that is then read by an indicia
reader that is associated with the point-of-sale terminal 107.
[0041] In addition to information associated with the items
selected for purchase (e.g., item number, product pricing, etc.),
the mobile computer device 105 may also be configured to transmit
payment information to the point-of-sale 107 terminal. In this
regard, the customer may upload payment information, such as credit
card or debit card information, that will be transmitted to the
point-of-sale terminal 107 in order to complete the purchase.
Conversely, the point-of-sale terminal 107 may be configured to
receive and process the customer's payment information and transmit
a paperless receipt to the mobile computer device 105 documenting
payment (e.g., an email receipt).
[0042] The payment and checkout process may be implemented in a
number of ways. By way of example, the customer may begin the
process by selecting an option to checkout on the mobile computer
device or by using the indicia reader to identify checkout indicia.
The payment and checkout process may also be configured to begin
automatically when a customer leaves a shopping area or some other
location (i.e., using geo-fencing technology).
[0043] The payment and checkout process may be further streamlined
if the customer has setup an account (e.g., an online account) with
a registered credit card or debit card which can be repeatedly
accessed for payment. The customer account could also be used to
verify a customer's age (e.g., when alcoholic beverages are
selected by a customer for purchase).
[0044] Modern smartphones and other mobile computing devices (e.g.,
tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.) may be configured to
utilize near-field communication. For instance, the Android.TM.
smartphone operating platform has near-field communication
functionality. In this regard, the system 100 of the present
invention (including all of the aspects and features previously set
forth) may operate as a near-field-communication (NFC) system 120
as illustrated at FIG. 2.
[0045] NFC is a communication protocol that allows mobile
electronic devices such as smartphones to establish wireless
communications with each other using electromagnetic radio fields
instead of conventional radio communications typically utilized in
similar communication networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, etc.). The
NFC communication link may be initiated when two NFC-capable
devices touch or are otherwise brought into proximity with each
other as illustrated at FIG. 2. It will be appreciated by a person
of ordinary skill in the art that NFC devices are in proximity to
each other when they are either (i) physically contacting each
other or (ii) within the maximum range that NFC transmissions may
successfully be exchanged.
[0046] The NFC protocol can create a personal area network between
NFC-capable devices similar to other personal area network
technologies (e.g., BLUETOOTH). The advantage of using the NFC
protocol is that it requires much less time to establish a
connection between devices using the NFC protocol. Using NFC makes
the process of transferring information from one device to another
device is much quicker and simpler than other communication
techniques.
[0047] Based upon NFC standards, 13.56 MHz is typically used to
communicate and exchange data. NFC standards use some existing
passive RFID standards from recognized standards organizations
(e.g., International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
EPCglobal, NFC forum, etc.) and include ISO/IEC 14443, ISO 15693,
and ISO/IEC 18000.
[0048] The near-field-communication system 120 according to the
present invention includes a first NFC-enabled device 125
configured to send acquired information (e.g., product information,
customer payment information, etc.) to another NFC-enabled device.
In general, the first NFC-enabled device 125 may be an active
device in that it can both receive and send information using NFC.
The first NFC-enabled device may be the mobile computer device 105
illustrated at FIG. 1 and described above and may include an
indicia reader.
[0049] The near-field-communication (NFC) system 120 according to
the present invention may also include a second NFC-enabled device
130. The second NFC-enabled device 130 may be the point-of-sale
terminal 106 illustrated at FIG. 1 and described above. The second
NFC-enabled device 130 could be a passive NFC device in that it
only needs to receive acquired information via the NFC
communication link. Typically, however, the second NFC-enabled
device 130 will be an active NFC device capable of sending and
receiving data over an NFC communication link.
[0050] Using a first NFC-enabled device 125 equipped with the
appropriate hardware (e.g., a high-pixel camera, near-field
communication module, etc.) and software (e.g. proprietary decoding
software), a customer may scan items selected for purchase as those
items are placed into a shopping container. When the customer has
finished shopping, the system 120 transmits the acquired
merchandise information, and potentially additional information
such as customer payment information, to a second NFC-enabled
device 130 (e.g., a point-of-sale terminal) configured with the
appropriate hardware and software to receive the information and to
facilitate the customer's payment for the merchandise.
[0051] Due to concerns regarding data security, credit card (or
debit card) information may not be directly transmitted in the
transaction. The system 120 may incorporate data encryption modules
using cryptographic protocols for communication (e.g., Transport
Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), etc.). The
cryptographic information (e.g., credit card information) would be
transmitted using NFC. The information would then be received by a
point-of-sale terminal and de-encrypted. The purchase could then be
completed using the credit card information. Consequently, the
customer can check out quickly and may receive an electronic
receipt through NFC
[0052] By relying on NFC, time spent pairing a mobile computer
device using other personal area network technologies (e.g.,
BLUETOOTH) is avoided and the customer check out process is
improved.
[0053] To supplement the present disclosure, this application
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U-Hinge Based Laser Scanning Assembly, filed Feb. 7, 2012 (Feng et
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Method for Capturing and Preserving Vehicle Event Data, filed Mar.
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13/780,356 for a Mobile Device Having Object-Identification
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(McCloskey et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/780,196 for
Android Bound Service Camera Initialization, filed Feb. 28, 2013
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[0054] In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of
the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not
limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are
not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific
terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *